"Japan" Japan by genki44

Japan Travel Guide: 19,321 reviews and 53,220 photos

JET Program

For anyone who doesn't know about this amazing opportunity, the JET Program is sponsored by the US Govt. and the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you are interested in living in Japan, but don't speak the language, don't know anyone there, and don't even know HOW to teach English, you can still go!! This program hires NATIVE English speakers from many different countries to come to Japan for one year, and teach English.
The Board of Education in the city/town where you will teach provides an excellent support system for you while in Japan, including partially or completely subsidized housing, in an apartment by yourself, help with anything you need at anytime, including simple things like setting up a bank account or going grocery shopping!!
I found the people at the Board of Education all very friendly and wonderful, as well as the students and teachers in all of the schools I taught in. It is best to live in a small town/city in Japan rather than Tokyo or Kyoto, as you make more friends, and learn more about the culture.

If you are interested in the JET Program and have completed your Bachelor's Degree (any major o.k.), here is their website:

http://www.jetprogramme.org/

Haiku

Matsuo Basho, born in 1644 created a new style of the Japanese poetry that had been around for a few hundred years by then, (but originally from China),.... called "Haiku". Basho's most famous Haiku may be:

Furu ike ya
Kawazu tobikomu
Mizu no oto

Allen Ginsberg's translation:

The old pond
A frog jumped in
Kerplunk!

Daisetsu Suzuki's translation:

The old pond, Ah!
A frog jumps in:
The water's sound.

This haiku reminds me of riding my bike around Aizuwakamatsu in the evening, past the rice paddies hearing how loud the frogs could be always astonished me!!

Two Haiku's by by Maiko Karasawa, aged 14 at the time:

The rain has fallen
Now- in everyone's faces
Flowers are blooming.

You kissed me. The sky
Fell down around us and I
Was filled with its stars

Last visit to Japan: Aug 2000
Intro Updated Feb 10, 2003
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Tokyo- Cheap small hotel Hotels (1)

Great rates!! Inexpensive Western-style accommodations in the center of Tokyo. Very popular-- often fully booked,... more travel advice

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Comments (2)

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Confucius Jul 13, 2003 at 8:49 PM

You kissed a frog......Rain drips from your lip......... The toad's saliva
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misakitaguchi Apr 16, 2003 at 4:42 AM

I know JET. But I could know more details because of your explain. How's Japan?